How do you get in and out of bed after THR?
Posted , 14 users are following.
I am now at the point where I need to seriously consider THR. I have been doing some research and I came across a description of how to get in and out of bed post-surgery. My bed is quite tall with a very thick mattress and I am wondering how I will managed to get in and out of it. I think it will be especially difficult in the first few days and weeks, especially when I have to get up in the night to use the bathroom. Any suggestions?
1 like, 47 replies
Seamist123 Anne68156
Posted
I don't know how tall your bed is. I had a similar problem that I resolved by getting one of those steps they use in exercise classes,,, it was very sturdy and, to me more importantly, very wide. It helped a lot's. Hope that helps. Good luck with your surgery.
nhquilta Seamist123
Posted
Oh, great idea! A firm, wide step would be perfect! Wish I'd thought of that. I used my good foot to lift my op'd leg, but sometimes needed help lifting both legs. That only lasts a few days. Good luck with you surgery!
Anne68156 Seamist123
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Now I am annoyed at myself for selling my step at the last yard sale. My daughter-in-law's mother bought it so, if she still has it, maybe she will sell it back!
amanda1827h Anne68156
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Hi Anne,OK what you need to do is go to the red cross centre.You can borrow a commode,walking frame.A slippery sheet for your bed.If your having your right hip done you will need to get out of your bed on the left side & then it's the same for your left hip you need to get into bed on the right hand side.Please get as much help as you can.The hospital will not let you come home till you have done stairs.Regarding cooking.get someone to prepare you a sandwich at lunch time,also order in microwave meals.oakhousefoods foods are amazing and deliver all over the country.You will have good days & bad.But if your fit it will all come together.regards Amanda h
Anne68156 amanda1827h
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Amanda,
I live in the US and I don't think our Red Cross is in the business of lending equipment. My husband will be able to stay home for a few days so I'm not so worried about having someone to help with food, etc. I think my biggest worry is having to get out of bed at night in the dark.
gloria81144 Anne68156
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I couldn't get out of bed at night due to pain caused incontinence. My husband helped me use a bed pan when I got desperate. Yes he is a sweetie, couldn't have gotten this far without him. Today begins my eight week. Still using a cane. Got a steroid shot in painful knee same side as operated hip today hopes that will help me walking more. Hip pain nearing gone just thigh soreness when I do too many exercises. Good luck top you. Oh yes there is a leg lifter on line that sure helped me. My other hip wouldn't let me lift.
Anne68156 gloria81144
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michael11283 Anne68156
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Annme
Yes, a leg lifter can be really useful though some people just use a crutch. Hold it by the bottom end and hook the handle (not the loop) under your foot. Pulling on it helps a lot.
But with luck you won't have any problems. A high bed is harder to get into though easier to get out of.
Hope it all goes well
Mike
Anne68156 michael11283
Posted
peggy15811 Anne68156
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Hi Anne, I too was worried about getting into bed, especially since we have a sleep number and it is 30" high. However I did figure it out without much pain involved. I got a small wooden stool, only about 4" high but very stable. It sits against my side of the bed. I back up to it and carefully step up with my good leg. Then I sit on the bed. I have a leg lifter, they are a necessity and very inexpensive. I put it on my bad hips foot and swing my legs into the bed. The first week you will probably use it to position yourself too. I am 3 weeks post TLHR and no longer need it. I also was able to go to my cane today, before that I was using a walker. Very happy to be progressing. I have almost no pain, just a dull ache when the hip gets too tired. I won't lie, the first 3 days in the hospital were difficult, the second day the hardest, but since coming home, I have improved daily. Be sure you have a good toilet riser, that was my biggest problem. About the type of surgery. My surgeon who I like and respect only did mini posterior. I read up on the anterior because of the quicker recovery and less restrictions, but it has higher risks of infection and the possibility of nicking the femoral nerve which is very bad. I decided to go with my surgeon's method. The 8 weeks of restrictions is difficult but it will pass, my pain is so minimal and my scar almost invisible. I am happy with my decision. Be prepared to be in pain in the hospital unless they keep you doped up, mine didn't do well with pain management, but once you are home you can get comfortable. I had my bedroom ready expecting to spend a week or so there. I was up the very next morning. I did spend a lot of time in our electric powered recliner. You can never get your knees above your hips during the 8 weeks of restrictions but the recliner worked fine. If you have no chairs with higher, firmer cushions, buy a firm cushion to put in your chair. My 3 most important purchases were my toilet riser, my leg lifter and my firm cushion. With those items you can manage well. I too will need my right hip done too, but it's not real painful yet. I will go with the same doctor and method although I wish I could change the hospital, it was the worst, but it was 3 days. I wish I had been doped up for those 3 days but I was not. They had me walking the hallways with a walker the afternoon of the surgery. That part was not real painful, getting in and out of the hospital bed without my leg lifter was awful. Good luck
Anne68156 peggy15811
Posted
Thank you for letting me know about your experience, Peggy. I have ordered a leg lifter this evening so I'm starting to prepare. I'm glad to hear that you are progressing so well. Now I need to go check on toilet risers!
peggy15811 Anne68156
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I had bought a riser that just went into the bowl so I did not have to ask hubby to take lid off and screw one on. Bad decision, it did not fit my toilet seat well, it wobbled and was uncomfortable on my scar, I felt like I was going to fall each time I used it.. I had a portable commode in my bedroom the first week for those late night needs,but after a week did not need that, so took out bowl and hubby moved commode over the toilet and that worked well. I am planning on removing it today as I think I am strong enough to get off the toilet now with no helpers. I have an ADA toilet about 18" high so it is normally quite high enough, but hip replacement requires a good rise for about 3 weeks unless you are quite short. I am 5'4" and certainly needed one. I also have grab bars next to the toilet. We had them there before my surgery, but they were very helpful to have. I forgot to mention you may want a shower chair too. I think I might have been able to manage without it, but the first few days when you feel very weak, it sure is helpful and makes you feel safer. My physical therapist gave me a grabber which was perfect for helping me dress myself. I had bought another one that was useless. The one she gave me was 26" and aluminum with yellow on it. I liked it so much I ordered 2 more! It is necessary for those times you drop or knock over your grabber! They were inexpensive, came in a pack of two and have been very useful. I bought mine on Amazon but it says RMS Soft-Grip on it. It has a small clip to clip it to your walker which is super helpful. It has a larger clip to clip over a bar if necessary. It is great for dressing yourself, my other one was useless for that. This one grabs and adjusts to what you need. Get yourself a couple, you will not be sorry. My neighbor used a bedside commode with the top down for a shower chair, she happened to have an extra and it worked too. Regardless you only need the chair and commode for about 2 to 3 weeks.
Good luck, I did the same getting what I needed ahead of time. My only bad choice was the toilet riser I got, but I managed with it. So glad to be past needing it now.
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RichardKen peggy15811
Posted
Dear Peggy
At last after two weeks of asking a couple of shower seats were dropped in by a social worker working on behalf of my doctor's surgery. Prior to that I had had to balance on my good leg in the shower and whilst drying myself.
There really was not enough room for the seat in the shower cubicle but it was so much easier with a seat outside the shower for drying off and dressing.
The social worker also delivered a back rubbing sponge with I found quite useful and a sponge on a handle to clean between my toes but I found the sponge too big or perhaps I've got small feet! The pick up device that I was not sure about is a great help.
Cheers Richard
CelsB Anne68156
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Hi Anne,
I think the higher the bed the better really. Just stand with your back to the side of the bed, sit on it and then, using your hands and arms slide yourself backwards as far as you can then with your legs together swing them around. You will become an expert at this and be able to do it in one movement. I'm 68, live alone alone and managed quite well although the first few days were the hardest as your operated leg won't be responding to what your head is telling it to do.
Don't worry, because whilst you are in hospital you will be shown how to get in and out of bed, dress youself and climb steps.
Cels x
Anne68156 CelsB
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judith12644 Anne68156
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It's true Anne, the reality is often not as bad as you're expecting. Had my hip op 10 months ago, and my recovery was loads better than I thought it would be. As the others have said, while you're in hospital they will show you how to do everything. I didn't have problems getting in and out of bed. (Now sleeping...that was something else!)
Good luck, Judith
Anne68156 judith12644
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RichardKen Anne68156
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Dear Anne
I think it's a good idea to practice everything including using the toilet and the shower ahead of time if only to remove some of the concerns and put in place solutions that work for you.
Cheers Richard
Anne68156 RichardKen
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I have a comfort-height toilet so I tried to see if that would work without a riser. There was no way I could get off that toilet! I certainly have more shopping to do!
RichardKen Anne68156
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Dear Anne
I'm not familiar with what a comfort height toilet is but I managed to borrow two self standing conked things with strong raised arms that drop over a standard toilet and they make using it very safe. Mine came from the Red Cross.
Cheers Richard
judith12644 Anne68156
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Anne68156 judith12644
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